The effusive volcanic eruption on Etna continues – tremors have risen to the red zone
A predominantly effusive volcanic eruption continues on Etna. The lava flow was even clearly visible on live cameras last night. During the night, shaking moved into the red zone for the first time since the eruption began, indicating increased activity. However, clouds currently make it difficult to view current events.
Live camera image
The volcanic eruption began on June 11 with weak ash emissions from the youngest crater of the Voragine cone, which marks the highest point of the Sicilian volcano. In the following days the activity intensified. Light Strombolian explosions occurred and ash emissions increased. In mid-June, two deep swarm earthquakes occurred at the northwestern tip of the volcano as new magma erupted into the earth’s crust. This likely increased the pressure in the volcano’s magmatic storage system. A week later, a rift formed in the cone of the Voragin crater, which began at the crater rim but subsequently did not open further. On June 26, on the opposite eastern side of Etna, near the foot of Voragina, another fault appeared, from the lower end of which a lava flow has been emerging ever since.
Throughout this period the tremor remained in the upper yellow zone until yesterday evening when it increased to the red zone. Since then it has remained stable at this level. Volcanic tremor is an indicator of the movement of magmatic fluids in the storage and productive system of a volcano and reflects the dynamic processes of magma rise. An increase in tremor indicates an increase in the rash. The speed of the lava flow has probably increased. However, it is also possible that explosive activity in the central zone of the crater has intensified. This phase of an eruption on Etna can quickly develop into a paroxysm. Therefore, extreme caution is required at summits above 2500 meters. The recommendations of the authorities must be followed without fail. Those unfamiliar with the summit area should not approach the lava flow.
Etna tremor. © INGV
Before the clouds obscured the view of the craters and lava flows, they could be clearly seen on live cameras. In the evening, INGV published current data on the eruption. Accordingly, the deepest lava front of the two-armed lava flow, originating at an altitude of about 3030 meters, reached an altitude of about 2700 meters. Thus, in one day the lava flow covered another 100 meters of height. There have been no reports of explosions on Voragin since June 27, although the situation could change quickly.
Update at 11:00: Ashes can now be seen being ejected from the Voragine again on live cameras.